Is a Walking Pad Worth It? My Review as a Work From Home Mum

Is a Walking Pad Worth It? My Review as a Work From Home Mum

If you’re wondering is a walking pad worth it, my honest answer is yes, especially if you want more daily steps, better fitness and an easy way to stay active indoors. I bought my walking pad because I sit at a desk and my step count was embarrassingly low. The UK weather doesn’t help either. It rains constantly and with my frizzy Afro hair, I’m not going outside before client calls. Dark winter mornings make outdoor walking even harder. I needed something simple that loosened my stiff back, got my joints moving and made exercise feel easy instead of a chore.

The real shift came when I accepted that daily movement is essential. You can’t sit in front of a screen all day and expect to feel well, your body needs movement. Now that my children are teenagers and the school-run days are behind me, my mornings are quieter and I wanted to use that time to look after myself. These days, I wake up, put on my “house trainers”, meaning I don’t wear them outside, these are trainers for my treadmill, throw on joggers over my pyjama top and stretch before stepping onto my walking pad. I walk for around 20 to 30 minutes before showering and starting my client work. Some mornings I lift weights instead, but walking is the one thing I can always manage, even on tired days.

What Is a Walking Pad and How Does It Work?

A walking pad is a slim, compact treadmill without handles, basically a small conveyor belt you can walk on at home. It’s much smaller than the treadmills at the gym and perfect for mums who don’t have space or time for bulky equipment. Lots of people use their walking pad under their desk, but that doesn’t work for me. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if I’m walking and working at the same time, so mine stays in my living room. It means I can use it first thing in the morning or in between tasks without rearranging my whole room.

My walking pad has a narrow belt, so at first you almost feel like you’re doing a runway model walk. It takes a couple of days to get used to the width, but after that it feels natural. The small size is the whole point, it makes movement possible even in a normal home and it’s ideal if you want a quiet walking pad that won’t disturb the house.

Before I share my top walking pad picks, here’s a short video of my own walking pad, the speed, the noisy bits and even the parts I’ve managed to break!

Walking Pads I Recommend (Best Walking Pad for Home Office Options)

UREVO Under Desk Treadmill

If you want a reliable starter walking pad that doesn’t cost a fortune, this is a great budget-friendly option. It’s very similar to the unbranded model I use at home, compact, simple and easy to walk on without rearranging your whole room. The non-slip belt and dual shock absorption make it comfortable on your joints and it’s quiet enough to use in your home without disturbing anyone. If you’re looking for a quiet walking pad, this is a solid choice. With over 500 reviews and a 4.4 rating on Amazon, it’s a trusted pick for beginners who want to increase their daily steps and stay active indoors.

View UREVO (Budget)

MERACH Auto-Incline Walking Pad (12% Incline, Heavy Duty Frame)

If I ever upgrade my walking pad, this is the one I’ll buy. The MERACH is a premium, heavy-duty model with a 12% auto incline and a solid steel frame. The incline is the real selling point. On busy mornings, even a 10-minute incline walk gives you a workout and burns more calories without needing longer sessions. It’s still compact enough for a living room or home office, making it one of the best walking pad for home office options if you want more features for the money. When my budget walking pad eventually gives up, this is the model I’ll be upgrading to.

View MERACH (Incline)

Why I Bought a Walking Pad to Raise My Steps (Walking Pad Benefits in Real Life)

I kept seeing walking pads everywhere online and couldn’t shake the idea. I was lifting weights at home, but depending on where I am in my monthly cycle, lifting isn’t always realistic. I still wanted daily movement and walking felt like the easiest and most reliable option, but you can’t walk outside everyday in the UK because of the weather.

Gym workouts don’t fit my lifestyle, by the time you drive to the gym, work out, drive back, eat and get ready for the day, half the day has disappeared. As a work from home mum, home workouts give me freedom and consistency and during winter, when UK mornings are dark and freezing, walking inside feels safer and more comfortable.

Some mornings I walk for 20 to 30 minutes straight; other days I split it into two 15-minute sessions if it’s raining or I’ve eaten a heavy lunch. The walking pad fits around real life and that’s why it works.

This is all part of my health and fitness journey. I’ve managed to lose weight, keep aches and pains at bay and improve my fitness, which is important when you sit at a desk a lot. If you’re wondering is a walking pad good for weight loss, the answer is yes. Increasing your daily steps is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to burn extra calories without intense workouts or injuring yourself.

Walking Pad Benefits I’ve Noticed After Using It Weekly

Using a walking pad consistently has made a real difference to my health. My fitness has improved, my stiff back loosens much quicker and I can raise my step count without even leaving the house. These walking pad benefits make it one of the simplest ways to build more movement into your day. It’s easy, low-pressure exercise that fits into my routine instead of disrupting it.

I also like showing my teenagers that you don’t need a gym or expensive equipment to stay active. It might not matter to them now, but when they’re older and juggling life themselves, they’ll remember their mum fitting in simple home workouts. Movement can start at home, quietly and easily and still make a huge difference.

Walking Pad Pros and Cons (What No One Tells You)

Here are the real walking pad pros and cons from someone who uses one regularly.

Pros

• Very easy to use - press a button and walk in your pyjamas. 

• Perfect for quick 20–30 minute workouts or longer if you have the time. 

• Makes winter exercise so much easier. 

• Quiet-ish when maintained properly, ideal if you want a quiet walking pad. 

• More affordable than a full treadmill.

Cons

• I broke the back plastic piece on day one when my shoe caught underneath it - watch my YouTube video above. 

• The controller battery fell out until I taped it. 

• It only works with the controller, keep it away from kids. 

• Not suitable around toddlers or pets (small fingers, tails, hair). 

• Some walking pads can generate heat underneath during long use, which may discolour carpet if placed directly on it. Using a protective mat helps prevent this.

Is a Walking Pad Good for Weight Loss? My Experience

For everyday mums, the answer is yes. You don’t need long workouts or high-intensity training to see progress. A walking pad helps you raise your daily step count consistently, even on busy days and because it’s low impact, you can do it even when you feel tired or achy. This is one of the reasons I’ve been able to maintain my weight and stay active during long work-from-home periods.

Is a Walking Pad Worth It for Work From Home Mums?

For most work from home mums, yes a walking pad is absolutely worth it. It gives you movement without leaving the house, prevents stiffness after long hours of admin work and helps you raise your steps even on the busiest days. You avoid dark mornings, cold weather and the pressure of going to the gym, but it isn’t perfect for everyone. It’s not ideal if you have toddlers or curious pets, if you need incline training or if you expect gym-level sturdiness. Walking pads are designed for convenience, not heavy running sessions.

Would I Buy a Walking Pad Again?

If you’re still wondering is a walking pad worth it, my personal verdict is yes, I’d buy one again in a heartbeat. Now that I know how much I rely on it, I’d choose a sturdier incline model next time. I wouldn’t buy a folding one because I know I’d never fold it back out again. Keeping it out in the living room encourages me to use it frequently without thinking about it.

Final Thoughts: Is a Walking Pad Worth It for You?

When you’re deciding whether a walking pad is worth it, my answer is a strong yes. It’s one of the easiest ways to raise your daily steps, stay active through winter and fit movement into real, everyday mum-life. Walking is gentle, achievable and something most people can stick to and if you’re still wondering is a walking pad good for weight loss, raising your daily steps is one of the most effective and sustainable methods.

While walking pads can be a little fragile and narrow, the convenience far outweighs the downsides. If I bought another one, I’d definitely upgrade to an incline model like the MERACH mentioned below. 

Recommended Walking Pads (Quick List)

Budget / Entry Level: UREVO Under Desk Treadmill – very similar to my current walking pad and perfect if you’re looking for an affordable, reliable starter option.

Premium / Incline: MERACH Auto-Incline Walking Pad – a heavy-duty, sturdier model with incline for a more challenging workout.

FAQ Section

Q1. Is a walking pad worth it for beginners?

Yes. If you’re new to exercise or just want an easier way to raise your daily steps, a walking pad is one of the simplest tools you can start with. It’s easy to use, affordable compared to a treadmill and ideal for quick 20-30 minute workouts at home. For most work from home mums, a walking pad is absolutely worth it because it fits into real life without needing lots of time or space.

Q2. Can a walking pad help with back pain or stiffness?

Yes, light walking can loosen a stiff back, especially if you sit at a desk for long hours. In my own routine, using a walking pad regularly helps my joints warm up and reduces the aches and pains that come from working at a computer all day. It’s gentle, low-impact movement that makes a noticeable difference.

Q3. Are walking pads safe around kids or pets?

From my own experience, I wouldn’t use a walking pad around a crawling baby, toddler or curious pet. It’s too easy for small fingers, tails or hair to get caught and my model only works with a remote, so the remote needs to be kept well out of children’s reach. It’s absolutely fine around my teenagers and sometimes they use it too.

Q4. Is a walking pad good for weight loss?

Yes, raising your daily step count is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to support weight loss. I feel fitter simply by adding short walking pad sessions into my routine. If you want a gentle, realistic way to move more without intense workouts, a walking pad is a great option.

Now read: 11 Daily Habits to Improve Life and Feel Better Working from Home

And read: My Work From Home Desk Setup: The Essentials I Use Every Day